The tenth Kössen Paragliding Testival is on from 31 May to 3 June 2018.

Last year saw record crowds at the Austrian event, with 4,300 pilots and 7,500 flights flown over four days. It’s rapidly becoming a must-attend for everyone in the paragliding industry.

The idea of the festival is that pilots can turn up, drop off their passport in exchange for a demo wing, and then use the cablecar to swiftly head up for a test fly. Dedicated pilots can fly lots of wings.

El Yelmo International Festival of the Air is back in Segura de la Sierra, Andalucia, Spain, on 1-3 June 2018. Now in its 19th edition, the free-flying festival promises three days of fun in the Spanish sun, with airshows, a trade fair, conferences, a competition and the International Festival of Air Cinema.

Hundreds of paraglider and paramotor pilots are expected, with 20,000 spectators over the weekend.

The 2018 Belgian Hang Gliding Open takes place in Tolmin, Slovenia in the first week of July.

Organisers say:

“In the tradition of the Belgian nationals, we want to offer a competition for all XC pilot levels: from beginners to very experienced pilots. The main idea is to have a fair and enjoyable Cat 2 competition for everyone.

While we will not be pushing the limits of what can be done with hang gliding, we will of course ensure that the tasks are long enough to have a fair competition. Safety is high on our priority list and the inviting area allows us to set nice and scenic tasks for all experience levels”.

The US flatlands of Minnesota are where the Midwest Corn Alps will be held in July 2018. Both hang gliders and paraglider pilots are invited.

“Cosmos, although a small town, has tow roads of gold. You would be surprised how few two-mile sections of rural road are unobstructed by power lines and trees. Cosmos has some of the best. We utilise both N/S and E/W gravel roads for truck tow/platform launches. These are quiet, county roads lined with corn, soybeans, beets and hay for easy bailout LZs as far as you can see”.

The Hang Gliding Pre-Worlds 2018 will be based in Tolmezzo, Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the northeast of Italy and will run from 27 July until 4 August.

Organisers say:

“The competition flying area will develop above extremely different and vast areas: from the sea to the Dolomites, crossing the flatlands, the Alps and the Prealps. The main competition region will be Friuli Venezia Giulia, but pilots could fly also above some other regions and countries: Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, Slovenia and Austria“.

Parafest, the UK’s family-friendly flying-and-music festival, is back in North Wales from 27-29 July 2018.

Mixing live music and family entertainment with paragliding, hang gliding and paramotoring, Parafest takes place at Llanbedr airfield on the beautiful Welsh coast, at the edge of Snowdonia National Park.

The event will host the UK’s only manufacturers’ trade show as well winch and aerotowing for suitably qualified pilots. There are hill-launch sites just a short drive away, and local pilots will be on hand to brief visitors.

Powered pilots have a dedicated area of the airfield to use for the duration of the event, from which they can explore the miles of unspoilt sandy beaches, the picture-postcard coastal towns and the mountains and valleys of Snowdonia.

Organisers say:

“Parafest is not just for pilots it’s for the whole family. Bring your partner, bring the kids, bring non-flying friends – you can even bring the dog!”

A purpose-built stage in the festival arena will host professional live bands who will play until midnight on the Friday and Saturday nights. Party-lovers can then head over to the Asbo Disco, set away from the camping area, where DJs will play on into the wee small hours.

If you come to Texas in August for the 16th Big Spring National Series you can expect big Tasks, smooth thermals, unrestricted landing areas and easy retrieval.

In addition, consistent 1pm cumulus development, air-conditioned HQ and free water and ice cream are in store. Organisers say, “We usually fly big distances every day at Big Spring so be prepared physically.” You have been warned!